Former Coast Guard Boat Has Been Partially Submerged in Bay for Months

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced today that work to remove the Cartigan from Brooklyn's Sheepshead Bay began early this morning when a 120 x 60-foot barge equipped with a 100-ton crane entered the Bay at about 5 a.m. The privately owned former Coast Guard boat has been semi-submerged for about nine months in a mooring area at the end of Emmons Avenue in front of Lundy's restaurant for nearly a year, and the owner has refused to take action to remove the vessel.

"This 125-foot eyesore is a detriment to the community and a navigational hazard," said Mayor Bloomberg. "In instances like this, it is only appropriate that the City take action to correct the situation and remove the Cartigan. I commend the agencies for their quick work that will allow the removal to take place before the busy summer season when pleasure craft and fishing boats crowd the Bay and tourists visit this unique waterfront area."

Removing the Cartigan from the Bay requires divers to deploy a boom to contain any discharge from the vessel. As it is raised, water will be pumped from the boat to make it lighter, and lifting slings, by which the boat will be hoisted out of the water and onto the barge, will be installed. The work will take several days, and the boat will be lifted from the Bay later this week. The Cartigan will be transported to the Weeks Yard in Port Newark, New Jersey, where its owner can reclaim it upon repayment of removal and transporting expenses.

The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) obtained legal authorization for the City to remove the vessel. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is responsible for overseeing the operation, under its Maritime Contract with the City and SBS, and provided $335,000 necessary to finance the operation. Turner Construction Company is the construction manager for the project. Maritime services are being provided by Weeks Marine, Inc.

"Making the City more livable is an important economic development goal," said EDC President Andrew M. Alper. "By listening to the business leaders of Sheepshead Bay, we realized that this derelict vessel was hurting the local economy, and I am pleased that EDC is able to help remove this navigational blight."

"This is a victory for Sheepshead Bay and a testament to the many people who fought for it," said SBS Commissioner Robert W. Walsh. "It is extremely rewarding to see the positive results of our collective hard work and I thank the EDC and SBS staff who worked so hard to resolve this issue."